The Portland daily press., 1887-06-11

long as those Societies fulfil their
mission the property win be theirs. The lot
in the rear, ON which the building of the So
ciety of Art now stands, will be given to
that society, to be held by them on similar
conditions. The spot is one of the most ell
gible in the city for the purposes to which it
is to be dedicated. 1t is centrally located,
on the main thoroughfare Of the city, on the
line of the horse cars, and easily reached
from every section of the city Yet it is suf-
ficiently removed from the business part of
the city to be free from noise and confusion,
and to ensure the quiet necessary for the
fulfllment of its mission. Had the soce-
ties who are to be the recipients of this gift.
had the pick Of all the lots in the city they
could scarcely have found a more eligible one
than this. Themoney value Of this gift cam
not be less than 100000. The building, ex-
elusive of the land, win cost nearly half that
sum.
Mr.. Baxter has had this gift in contempla
ton for several years. In 1885, Mr.. f. Fl.
Fassett. the accomplished architect, drew at
his suggestion plans for library building to
be erected on this lot. One of the front ele
vations drawn at that time, the one preferred
by Mr.. Baxter, is the one represented in the
cut. Mr.. Baxter took advantage of his tour
in Europe to study the library buildings Of
the old wcrld with view of adopting any
valuable suggestions that they might offer.
The plans finally adopted and which are
soon to be wrought out in stone and iron
embody some Of the best features of these
old world buildings, though in the most i'm
portant details they are substantially similar
to those drawn by Mr.. Fassett in 1885. The
idea has been kept steadily in view that the
most important purpose Of apublic library
is to afford facilities to the student for con-
sultation and the study of special topics
Accordingly the library viii be arranged in
alcoyes, each alcove lighted by a
window and with plenty Of room for o
table at which the student may sit while be
consults the volumes taken from the shelves,
The future growth of the library has ben
4 taken into account, and when greater az
commodations for books are needed thy
can be supplied by building galleries aboit
! the room, for several of which there Is
ample space.
The erection of the building will begin in
mediately. The plans. which were drawn
Dy Messrs. Fassett and Thompson aid
generously given by them, are all con-
pietet, and the tenants who occupy he
building that at present stands ON he
lot, wefe notified to move some THE
ago. The work will be vigorously pushd,
ana not many months will elapse before tie
building will be ready for occupancy. 1t
! WIN then be conveyed to trustees for he
oenent OF the Portland Institute and Pubic
Library and the Maine Historical Sociay.
ana VIII pass into.their possession. The
building is admirably adapted in all its ie-
! tails for the purposes for which it is ie-
signed. The first object has been to max IL
n model building of its kind In the matter Of
practical utility. Yet disappearance has not
been forgotten, as the deliberately ornament.
ed front displayed in the sketch shows.
Facing broad thoroughfare, it will be one
OF the most conspicuous buildings in the
p, city and one of the most beautiful in its ex-
terror adornment, and will add greatly to
the attractiveness of that part of the city in
which 1t will stand. Springing from the
liberality of citizen, it will perpetu.lly
teach the lesson Of benevolence and public
| spirit
THE BUILDING IN DETAIL.
The entire building will cover $3.50 square
feet. Its form is represented by this aia-
gram